On September 25th 2006 I will begin my 27 month adventure with the United States Peace Corps as a Biology teacher in Mozambique. This journal is public and is meant to be a record of my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer. DISCLAIMER: All of the insights and quandries are mine and not endorsed by or affiliated with the United States Peace Corps.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

I'm finally ready to begin my blogging experience. I've never kept a blog before, or any kind of journal really, but creating this really seemed to make sense for a number of reasons. First, when I was deciding whether Peace Corps was for me, blogs were my most valuable resource. They were an honest portrayal of the experience on a day-to-day basis, with both the hardships and the victories in equal measure. This way I can return the favor, and hopefully have as much of an impact on others as the blogs I read did on me. If you're interested, my favorite blog is by a former UVA student in Morocco. And second, it's a great way of letting all of my family and friends back home keep tabs on me while I'm away, and while I have potentially limited internet access.

Lots of people suggested names for this blog, and while I appreciated them all, I'm afraid that none really clicked, probably because they didn't have a deeper meaning for me. This blog is supposed to be a true reflection of myself, so the name had to be something that really meant something to me. If you don't know the Carbon Leaf song, What About Everything? listen to it, because it's great. It's related to why I want to do Peace Corps in the first place, so it really just felt right. Here are the lyrics so that you can see for yourself:

Holiday quiet on these streets, except for some stubborn leavesThat didn't fall with the fall, and now they clatter in vainHoliday sky, midnight clear, wind is high, hard to steerOld muffler rumbles like an old fighter planeIn search of some rest, in search of a breakFrom a life of tests where something's always at stakeWhere something's always so farWhat about my broken car?What about my life so far?What about my dream?What about--

What about everything?What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scarsAnd all the anger that they eat?I am not in need.

Get away and come with me, come away with me and we'll seeIf I was right on that night, that a future was madeBefore time takes each year-- like a knife cuts it clearIt's school, then work and then life that just sharpens the bladeI think about time for fun, I think about time for playThen I think about being done, with no resumeWith no one left to blameWhat about fortune and fame?What about your love to obtain?What about the ring?What about--

What about everything?What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scarsAnd all the anger that they eat?I am not in need.

Holiday quiet on these streets, except for some reason meThe hometown harbor lights bright. The sailboats clatter in vainHoliday sky, midnight clear, wind is high on this pierI find it hard to complain when compared with what about--

What about everything?What about aeroplanes? And what about ships that drank the sea?What about the moon and stars? What about soldier battle scarsAnd all the anger that they eat?

What about aliens? What about you and me andWhat about gold beneath the sea?What about when buildings fall? What about that midnight phone call,The one that wakes you from your peace?Well, I am not in need.